Window box and mounting therefor

ABSTRACT

A transparent container for plants or cut flowers which includes a separate mounting plate for attachment of the container to a generally vertical surface such as a window or mirror. The mounting plate includes pressure actuated mounting means such as double-stick adhesive tape or suction cups. The container includes a perforate platform, spaced from the bottom of the container having upstanding supports for cut flowers, and a wick which is placed in a plant support medium for distribution of water stored in a reservoir in the bottom of the container beneath the platform. A self-watering window box results which is maintained in a substantially horizontal position and is easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.

United States atent 1191 Powell 1 1 WINDOW BOX AND MOUNTING THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Charles W. Powell, 227 E. 50th St.,

New York, N.Y. 10022 221 Filed: Apr. 10, 1972 21 Appl. NO.2 242,422

[52] US. Cl 47/36, 47/38.], 211/88 [51] Int. Cl A0lg 9/02 [58] Field of Search 47/36, 38, 38.1, 39.41,

3,199,250 8/1965 Sawyer 47/38.] X

[ ,Hune4,1974

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerEugene H. Eickholt Attorney, Agent, or FirmAmster & Rothstein [5 7 ABSTRACT A transparent container for plants or cut flowers which includes a separate mounting plate for attachment of the container to a generally vertical surface such as a window or mirror. The mounting plate includes pressure actuated mounting means such as double-stick adhesive tape or suction cups. The container includes a perforate platform, spaced from the bottom of the container having upstanding supports for cut flowers, and a wick which is placed in a plant support medium for distribution of water stored in a reservoir in the bottom of the container beneath the platform. A self-watering window box results which is maintained in a substantially horizontal position and is easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WINDOW BOX AND MOUNTING THEREFOR This invention relates generally to receptacles and in particular to receptacles for plants or cut flowers.

Numerous receptacles for plants or cut flowers have been available for use in growing flora at locations other than in the ground. Many of these containers have included apparatus for mounting in proximity to a window and hence the term window box has been generally used to describe such containers.

Many of the window boxes available provide a convenient means for containing a plant support medium, e.g., soil or humus, capable of enabling plants to grow, thus affording an opportunity for those who are denied access to a plot of ground enjoyment of the rewards of horticulture. However, certain disadvantages are inherent in the containers on the market. Quite often, the physical configuration of a window and the structures proximate thereto do not permit the desired placement of a window box in proximity to the window by the use of presently available means of attachment. In order to provide the plant with the light-required for its proper growth, either a special stand, (often taking up valuable floor space and impeding access to the window in time of emergency) had to be utilized, or an expensive artificial source of light had to be provided. Also, the lack of convenient horizontal mounting means limited the decorating uses to which a window box could be put due to the necessity for often unsightly mounts for supporting the window box in the horizontal position necessary for proper growth and maintenance of the plant.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for the horizontal support and display of plants which is removably mountable on a vertical surface.

lt is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a transparent container for real or artificial plants or cut flowers which is removably supportable in a horizontal attitude by a separate mounting plate which is, in turn, attachable to a substantially vertical surface. Advantageously, the present invention may be used to provide a variety of window boxes which may be attached to a variety of surfaces including for example, but without limitation, window panes and mirrors.

l have found that a variety of containers or window boxes for plants can be created wherein the plants receive full light, require a minimum of attention and can be positioned, for purposes of convenience and decoration, on many vertical surfaces which were previously unusable as window box supports.

Broadly, the apparatus of the present invention may include a self-watering planter adapted to be mounted on an upstanding support including a container having a bottom and side walls defining a water-receiving compartment in the lower portion thereof. A partition within the container is spaced from the bottom thereof and cooperates with the side walls to define a plantreceiving compartment in the upper portion of the container. The plant-receiving compartment of the container is adapted to receive a plant nutrient and a plant therein. The partition is constructed and arranged to enable water from the water-receiving compartment to be delivered to the plant nutrient and the plant. Releasable interengaging means are provided on the container and a mounting member is adapted to be secured to the upstanding support for releasably mounting the container thereon with the bottom wall in a substantially horizontal attitude.

In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is designed for the horizontal support and maintenance of a live plant. A transparent plastic box is provided with a platform which is supported within the box above the bottom of the box thus forming a reservoir for water therein. The platform includes a plurality of openings for the passage of water therethrough. A plant support medium or nutrient may be placed on top of the platform with communication between the plant support medium and the area beneath the platform provided by a wick threaded through the medium and extending into the reservoir space beneath the platform. A separate mounting plate is provided with adhesive or other means on the rear surface thereof for attachment to a vertical supporting surface with the box having a recess for cooperating with the mounting plate in supporting the box.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

H6. 1 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of an illustrative form of the present invention shown mounted upon a vertical surface;

FIG. 2 is a separated perspective view of the window box of the present invention including a mounting plate therefor;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the window box of the present invention taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional bottom plan view of the apparatus of the present invention taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Referring now specifically to the drawing, in accordance with one illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a plant container, generally designated by the reference numeral 10 which includes a box 12 which is generally rectangular in cross-section and has a front face 14, left and right side faces 16, 18, a rear face 20 and a bottom face 22. The box 12 is open at the top, is water impermeable, and is formed of a lightweight, transparent material such as by being molded of transparent plastic.

A generally trapezoidal mounting plate 24includes front and rear surfaces 26, 28, opposed non-parallel edges 30, 32 and opposed short and long parallel edges 34, 36. The non-parallel edges 30, 32 and the top edge 34 are all inclined at an angle to the front and rear faces 26, 28 of the mounting plate 24 forming an acute included angle with the front face 26 and an obtuse included angle with the rear face 28 for a purpose to be described. Pressure actuated mounting means, such as doublestick adhesive tape 38 is applied to the rear face 28 of the mounting plate 24 for use in attachment of the mounting plate to a substantially vertical surface V (FIGS. 1 and 3) for use in horizontally mounting the window box in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A generally trapezoidal recess 40 appears within the rear face of the box 12 of substantially the same shape as the mounting plate 24. The recess 40 includes a V-shaped groove 42 thereabout inclined at the same angle to the rear face 20 as the edges 30, 32, 34 of the mounting plate 24 are inclined to the face 28. The V- shaped groove 42 is sized and configured to engage the edges 30, 32, 34 of the mounting plate 24 for horizontally, removably mounting the box 12 when the mounting plate is fixed to the vertical surface V. The correspondence between the shape and angle of the V- shaped groove 42 and the edge configuration of the edges 30, 32, 34 maintains the box 12 in position upon the mounting plate 24 (when the mounting plate is attached to the vertical surface V) and prevents any relative horizontal movement therebetween.

A platform 44 is provided within the box 12, which is generally rectangular in shape and of a'size which is slightly smaller than the interior dimensions of the bottom of the box. Generally cylindrical supporting legs 46 are attached on the underside 48 of the platform 44 and function to maintain the platform spaced a distance from the bottom of the inside of the box 12 thus forming a reservoir beneath the platform. A plurality of openings 50 appear within the platform 44 and extend therethrough for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

One of the shorter edges 52 of the platform 44 includes a semicircular groove or cut-out 54 for a wick 56, which may be formed of fiberglass or some other suitable material. The wick 56 is placed with a portion in contact with the reservoir area in the bottom of the box 12, and is seated within the groove 54 of the platform 44. The larger portion of the wick 56 is placed within the plant support medium M (which may be soil, humus, or other plant nutrient) to aid in supplying moisture thereto from the reservoir.

In use, the trapezoidal mounting plate 24 may be supplied with a pressure actuated mounting means such as a double-stick adhesive tape 38 or a suction cup device (not shown) on the rear face 28 thereof which is pressed into contact with the vertical surface V (which may be a window or a mirror or the like). The mounting plate 24 is attached to the vertical surface V with the shorter edge 34 of opposed parallel edges 34, 36 uppermost to aid in mounting the box 12. The wick 56 is pressed into the groove 54 of imperforate platform 44 with a small portion thereof extending downwardly therefrom a short distance and the platform and wick assembly is placed into the bottom of the inside of the box.

An amount of plant support medium M is placed within the box 12 and rests upon the platform 44. Due to the cooperation between the sides of the box and the platform, the plant support medium is spaced from the bottom of the inside of the box. The wick 56 is placed within the plant support medium M in order that the plant support medium might receive Water through the wick from the reservoir which exists beneath the platform 44.

Either seeds or developed plants are then placed within the plant support medium M and the box 12 is placed with the recess 40 in registry with the mounting plate 24. The box 12 is then moved downward with respect to the mounting plate 24 and the mounting plate and the recess cooperate to guide and removably support and horizontally mount the box on the substantially vertical surface V.

Due to the communication between the plant support medium M and the reservoir of water W within the inside of the bottom of the box 12 through the action of the wick 56, plant container 10 is substantially selfwatering and requires relatively little attention for a l or 2 week period, depending upon conditions.

When it is necessary to again water the plants contained in the box 12, water is simply placed on the top of the plant support medium M. Any excess water filters through the plant support medium M passes through the openings 50, and remains within the bottom of the inside of the box 12 until such time as the plant support medium requires more water.

If desired, the wick 56 may be eliminated and the plant support medium M will obtain water through evaporation of the water from beneath the platform 44. As the water cannot evaporate anywhere but through the plant support medium M, the plant container 10 still has a one or two week watering period.

While the material of which the container 10 is formed may be opaque, a certain educational and aesthetic appeal may be added to the apparatus of the present invention if the container, as noted hereinbefore, is formed of clear or colored transparent plastic. If the container 10 is transparent, the root system of live plants contained therein may be damaged by expo sure to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun or other sources. To prevent damage of this nature, any one of the commercially available ultraviolet inhibitors, in a concentration to prevent the passage of damaging ultraviolet rays through at least a portion of the container, may be added thereto or integrally formed therewith. An example of a commercially available ultraviolet inhibitor is CYAZORB UV 1988 manufactured by American Cyanamid Company which is designed to operate effectively in a concentration equal 2.2f, P n QUE ta mixtu s- As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may be used in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or esential characteristics. For example, the presently illustrated container which is generally rectangular in cross-section can be changed in shape and configuration and the platform 44, the supports 46 therefor and the faces 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

y can be integrally formed or separately formed and later assembled. Additionally, a plurality of upstanding support structures 58 may be integrally molded into the platform 44 in order that the window box 10 may be used for supporting an arrangement of cut flowers that will last for a long time due to the existence of the water W, the level of which may be adjusted to cover the bottom of the flower stems. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A plant container and mounting therefor comprising a transparent water-impermeable box having a reservoir in the bottom thereof, means for supporting a plant nutrient within said box in spaced relation to said reservoir including means for communicating said plant nutrient with said reservoir, a mounting plate, constructed and arranged to be mounted on an upstanding surface and having front and rear surfaces with at least two edges thereof inclined at an angle to said surfaces, a plate-receiving recess in said container having a V-shaped groove thereabout inclined at the same angle as said edges of said mounting plate for engagement therewith for removably mounting said box on said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal attitude.

2. A plant container according to claim 1 including means for attaching said mounting plate to said upstanding surface, and ultraviolet inhibiting means in combination with at least a portion of said box for preventing the passage of damaging ultraviolet rays through said portion.

3. A plant container according to claim 1 including means for attaching said mounting plate to a nonporous surface, said communicating means including a plurality of openings in said plant nutrient support means for communicating said plant nutrient with said reservoir.

4. A plant container according to claim 3 wherein said communicating means includes wicking means for communicating said plant nutrient with said reservoir, said mounting plate and said recess being generally trapezoidal.

5. A transparent container for cut flowers adapted to be mounted on an upstanding support comprising a container having a bottom and side walls defining a water-receiving compartment in the lower portion thereof, a partition in said container spaced from said bottom and cooperating with said side walls to define a cut-flower compartment in the upper portion of said container, said partition having a plurality of upstanding supports for maintaining cut flower stems in an upstanding position and being constructed and arranged to enable water to contact the stems of said cut flowers, and releasable interengaging means including a trapezoidal mounting plate adapted to be secured to said upstanding support and a corresponding trapezoidal plate-receiving guideway within said container arranged with the shorter parallel edge uppermost, said guideway opening through the bottom thereof for removably engaging said trapezoidal mounting plate thereby maintaining said container on said upstanding support in a substantially horizontal attitude. 

1. A plant container and mounting therefor comprising a transparent water-impermeable box having a reservoir in the bottom thereof, means for supporting a plant nutrient within said box in spaced relation to said reservoir including means for communicating said plant nutrient with said reservoir, a mounting plate, constructed and arranged to be mounted on an upstanding surface and having front and rear surfaces with at least two edges thereof inclined at an angle to said surfaces, a platereceiving recess in said container having a V-shaped groove thereabout inclined at the same angle as said edges of said mounting plate for engagement therewith for removably mounting said box on said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal attitude.
 2. A plant container according to claim 1 including means for attaching said mounting plate to said upstanding surface, and ultraviolet inhibiting means in combination with at least a portion of said box for preventing the passage of damaging ultraviolet rays through said portion.
 3. A plant container according to claim 1 including means for attaching said mounting plate to a non-porous surface, said communicating means including a plurality of openings in said plant nutrient support means for communicating said plaNt nutrient with said reservoir.
 4. A plant container according to claim 3 wherein said communicating means includes wicking means for communicating said plant nutrient with said reservoir, said mounting plate and said recess being generally trapezoidal.
 5. A transparent container for cut flowers adapted to be mounted on an upstanding support comprising a container having a bottom and side walls defining a water-receiving compartment in the lower portion thereof, a partition in said container spaced from said bottom and cooperating with said side walls to define a cut-flower compartment in the upper portion of said container, said partition having a plurality of upstanding supports for maintaining cut flower stems in an upstanding position and being constructed and arranged to enable water to contact the stems of said cut flowers, and releasable interengaging means including a trapezoidal mounting plate adapted to be secured to said upstanding support and a corresponding trapezoidal plate-receiving guideway within said container arranged with the shorter parallel edge uppermost, said guideway opening through the bottom thereof for removably engaging said trapezoidal mounting plate thereby maintaining said container on said upstanding support in a substantially horizontal attitude. 